Tsarukyan was announced as the winner by decision in his fight against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in Las Vegas, Nevada, US on 13/4/2024. *Photo: USA Today*

Arman Tsarukyan, an Armenian fighter known for his unique background, is making his return at UFC Qatar this weekend. His ultimate goal is to challenge and dethrone the new lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria. This ambition comes after a significant setback earlier this year, when Tsarukyan, then on the cusp of a lightweight (66 - 70 kg) title shot against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311, withdrew at the last minute due to a back injury from an extreme weight cut. It was a regrettable moment in the career of a fighter once considered a rare young contender capable of challenging the champion.

Tsarukyan's last fight was a victory over Charles Oliveira in Las Vegas in 4/2024. More than a year later, the 29-year-old fighter returns to the big stage in Qatar to face Dan Hooker, a 35-year-old fighter from New Zealand. A win could re-establish his position as a challenger for the new lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria. "If the UFC asks if I can fight next January, I will nod immediately. I don't want to wait any longer," Tsarukyan stated, highlighting his strong ambition.

Unlike the common 'rags-to-riches, ambition to change life' narrative in MMA, Tsarukyan comes from a well-off family. He was born in Georgia and later moved to Khabarovsk, a city near the border with China, due to his father's work. His father, Nairi Tsarukyan, is a well-known construction entrepreneur. Tsarukyan grew up in comfortable conditions; his father paid him 6 USD an hour for helping out in the construction company from the age of 11. Later, Tsarukyan and his brother invested 144,000 to 156,000 USD to open a cybercafe in Krasnodar. He also owns supercars, travels luxuriously, and has homes in several countries. "I can buy anything I want, except a private jet and a yacht," he once said, half-jokingly.

Tsarukyan comes from a well-off family, a contrast to most MMA fighters. *Photo: Instagram / Arm_011*

As a child, Tsarukyan played ice hockey, an expensive sport in Russia. However, after encountering sambo and then wrestling, his passion shifted. At just 18, Tsarukyan entered professional MMA, quickly gaining attention for his all-around physique, strong wrestling background, and pressure-fighting style. By 2019, he signed with the UFC, facing Islam Makhachev in his very first fight. Despite losing by decision, Tsarukyan surprised experts by holding his own against one of the best grapplers in the promotion. Tsarukyan's "rich fighter" image truly emerged after UFC 300. As UFC President Dana White left the event in a company car, a Rolls-Royce Phantom worth 600,000 USD pulled up alongside it, with Tsarukyan inside. White turned to ask Hunter Campbell, "Do we pay him that much?", before learning that most of Tsarukyan's wealth did not come from his UFC earnings.

Arman Tsarukyan (right) pictured with Russian President Vladimir Putin. *Photo: Marca*

Given his reputation and family status, Tsarukyan naturally attracted the attention of Russian political circles. He once competed in "Sambo-70", an event held to honor President Vladimir Putin, and his victory there earned him recognition from Russian leaders. During a conversation, Tsarukyan revealed he once used a photo with Putin to get out of a traffic violation. The police, upon seeing the photo, let him go. The story quickly went viral online, further increasing Tsarukyan's public profile.

Professionally, Tsarukyan is a rare all-around fighter in the lightweight division. His primary background is wrestling and sambo, similar to the style of Dagestani fighters. Tsarukyan's fighting style relies on three elements: relentless pressure, as he constantly forces opponents back to the cage, denying them breathing room; strong grappling, with excellent ability to change takedown directions, reverse positions, and control on the ground, placing him among the best in the lightweight class; and exceptional stamina, maintaining a high pace and intensity throughout three to five rounds, rarely showing signs of fatigue. After a long layoff due to a back injury, Tsarukyan returns with greater ambition, aiming to become the main challenger for Ilia Topuria, who boasts an undefeated 17-fight streak. Tsarukyan believes the skill gap with Topuria is not significant, and a win over Hooker will earn him a rightful return to title contention.

By Hong Duy (according to Marca)